Electrical industrial truck



W. H.. WRIGHT. ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK. APPLICATION H'LED JULY13h91?.

1,404,41 9, Patented Jan. 24, 1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR m# mw w. H. WRIGHT. ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY13|1917 1,404A; l 9 Patented J an. 24, 1922.

6 SHtETS-SHEET 2.

satte ey" W. H. WRIGHT.

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED ILILY 13.19I1.

1,404,419, Patented Jan. 24,1922.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I NVENTOR Wlm# W. H. WRIGHT.

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION man Jun/13.1911.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

, 1,404,419r Patented 1.111.211,1922.

l) his 1i-torpe] W. H. WRIGHT.

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 13.1917.

Patented Jan. 24,1922..

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR www. 1.)/ 'his from y W. H. WRIGHT. ELECTRICAL mnusmm TRUCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 13.191?.

wILLIAnH'. WRIGHT, or BUFFALO,

ASSIGNMENTS, '10 WRIGHT-HIBBARD-INDUSTRIAL NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB, BY DIRECTAND ELECTRIC TRUCK CO. INC., Ol'

BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OI NEW YORK. v

ELECTRICAL rNnUsTrAx, Tnuqx.

Application led July 18,

I T o all whom it may concern.'

= Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. WRIGHT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric IndustrialTrucks; and I do hereby declare thel following to be a full, clear, andexact description of my invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to iigures and references markedthereon, which form part of this specification.

Like figures of reference refer to like parts. y

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in industrialtrucks, and more particularly to an-industrial truck which is driven bymeans'of an electric motor and wherein the load is carried by a platformor support which is likewise raised and lowered by power.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an industrial truck ofthe above character wherein a single motor may be used for propellingthe truck and also for raising and lowering the lift platform carryingthe load.

A further object of the invention is to provide an industrial truck ofthe above character wherein the motor is controlled by independentcontrollers or controlling devices when operated for driving the truckand when operated for raising and lowering the lift platform, wherebythe controlling device for the motor, when used in raising and loweringthe platform, may be automatically thrown out so as to stop the motorand the movement of said platform.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a brake mechanismfor the moving parts which raise and lower the platform, which brakemechanism is automaticall y actuated with the throwing out of thecontroller for the motor.

" Another object of the invention is to provide an industrial truck ofthe above character wherein an automatic switch and brake mechanism areassociated with the motor and the mechanism driven thereby forpropelling the truck, said switch and brake being controlled by a footlever ad- Specieation of Letters Patent.

Patented J an.r24, 1922. 1917. serial No. 180,406.

jzcent a step-board for carrying the opera or.

These and other objects will in part be obvious and will in part behereinafter more fully disclosed. n In the drawings, which show by wayof illustration one embodiment of the invention Figure l is a sideelevation of a truck embodying the invention;

2 is an end elevation' of the truck;

F ig. 3 1 s a top plan view of the truck;

F 1g. 4 is -a perspective view of the truck supporting wheels;

ig. 5 is an end elevation of the parts at the forward end of the truck;

Fig, 6 is a perspective view of the gear boxcontaining the train ofmechanism for raislng and lowering the platform, and also showing thecontroller for the motor and the means for automatically throwing out,

the controller; .n

Fig. 7 is a perspective `View of a portion of the gear box and -showingthe brake mechanism which is operated upon the throwing out of thecontroller;

Fig. 8 is a View, partly in side elevation and partly in section,showing more or less diagrammatically the elevating means for theplatform;

Fig. 9 isa view in side elevation, showing more or less diagrammaticallythe supporting wheels and the steering mechanism for controlling thesaine;

Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation showing the automatic switch and thebrake controlled by the step-board;

F ig. 11 is a sectional view on the line of Fig. l2; A

Fig. l2 is a view, partly in plan and partly in section, or" the same,also showing the motor; and f Fig. 13 is a sectional view showing one ofthe springs for raising the step-board when released from the operatorsweight.

The invention consists broadly in an industrial truck having asupporting frame which is .mounted uponv a pair of driving wheels and apair of supporting wheels. The supportingl wheels are disposed adjacentthe front end of the truck, while the driving wheels are adjacent therear end of the truck. Mounted on the frame is a supporting bracketcarrying a motor, which is utilized both for the propelling of the truckand also for operatin a lifting platform or `and the two trains ofmechanism or` earing, one of which operates the lift plat orm and theother of which propels the truck, are so constructed a's to connect themotor with either the one train of mechanism or the other. -Mounted onthe frame, and in- -dependently of the mounting of the motor and thetrains of mechanism above referred to. are bracket plates vwhich supporta box or housing for a storage battery, which storage battery is locatedabove the motor and the trainsof mechanism just described. A suitablecontroller is arranged intermediate the storage battery and the motor sothat the motor may be actuated when connected with the train ofmechanism for propelling the truck for giving three forward speeds andthree reverse speeds. An entirely independent controller is disposedbetween thel .battery and the motor for causing the motor to be actuatedfor operating the train of mechanism which raises and lowers the plat`form. This last-named controller is automatically thrown out when theplatform reaches either extreme of its movement. At the same time thatthe controller is thrown out, a brake is applied to the train ofmechanism which raises and lowers the platform for stopping the same. Anautomatic switch is also included in the circuit which leads from thestorage battery to the controller for the motor for propelling thetruck, and

associated with this automatic switch is a brake.

The automatic switch and brake are in turn controlledby a foot lever andstepboard on which the operator rides, and this.

step-board is spring-operated so that when the operators weight isremoved therefrom the automatic switch is cut out and the brake applied,which insures that the operator shall be in position on the step-boardin orderA to operate the motor for propelling the truck. Suitablesteering means is arranged so as to be accessible to the operator whilestanding on the step-board.

The invention will be made more clear by reference to the drawings,wherein the frame of the truck is shown as including two I-beams 1 and2, forming stringers which are rigidly connected by plates 3 and 4secured to the underside of the I-beams. Mounted on these I-beams andextending beyond the ends thereof are inverted T-bars 5 and 6. TheseT-bars are used to connect the main frame to the driving axle. Mountedon the T-bars are bracket plates 7 and 7a, the upper ends of which areconnected by a bar 8 which may be used as a hand bar by the operator.Rigidly secured to one of the plates 7 is an angle bar '9 which isformed with a horizontal section l0 and a vertical section 11, saidvertical section being connected to the T-bar 5. A similar angle bar isconnected with the plate 7a and the T- bar 6. The sections 11 of theseangle bars are Aconnected by a cross plate 12. These bracket plates andangle bars form a framework on which the box or housing 84 for thebatteries is mounted. The batteries are located within this box orhousing.

As a means for carrying the front supportin wheels I have provided crossbars 13 an 14 which are rigidly secured to the I-beams 1 and 2, and inthese cross bars is journaled a longitudinally extending bar 15 providedwith a circular portion or fifth wheel 16, which engages a similarportion 17 connected to the axle frame 18. Journaled upon the axle frame18 are the supporting wheels 19 and 20. The axle frame has a projectingportion 21, to the outer end 22 of which is pivoted. a steering bar 23.This steering bar is utilized for turning the axle about its pivotalsupport on the bar 15, and it will be abvious that the bar l5 may rockin its journals so as to provide a very efficient supporting means forthe truck frame even though the floor or ground on which the truck restsis more or less uneven.

The propelling wheels, as above noted, are located near the rear end ofthe frame and are indicated at 28 and 35 in the drawings. Fixed to theT-bar 6 is a yoke bracket 24 to which is vertically pivoted a forkedbearing piece 25, This bearing piece 25 has a tubular extension 26 whichcarries the hub 27 of the wheel 28. The hub is journaled on theyextension by means of ball bearings 29. Rigid on the end of the hub is adisk 30 which is connected with a stub shaft 31. The inner end of thestub shaft 31 terminates in a universal joint 32, the pivot points ofwhich are in line with the pivot points 33 andv34 of the yoke 24. TheWheel 35 is mounted in a similar manner. Said wheel has a hub 36 rigidlyfixed to a disk 37 which in turn is rigidly fixed to a stub shaft 38.Said hub is journaled on a forked piece 39 pivoted to a yoke bracket 40which in turn is supported by the T-bar 6. The shaft 38 is connected bya universal joint 42 to one section of a drivconnected to these arms 43and 44 vuniversal joint 42. The forked piece39 has an integral arm 43,and the forked piece 24 has a slmilar arm 44. A rod 45 is plvotally ingthe same when steering the truck. Tt

will thus be seen that by movement of the steering rod 23 the rearwheels will be turned on independent pivotal supports, while the frontpair of wheels will turn about a common pivotal support.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 9, it will be noted that thesteering rod 23 is operated by means of a hand lever 47. -This handlever is pivoted to the side bracket plate 7a at 48. Pivotally.connected to the hand lever 47 is a -rod 49 which in turn is pxivoted toa bell crank 50 at the point 51.

he bell crank 50 is pivoted at 52 to the frame of the truck. This bellcrank has a downwardly extending arm 53 which is pivoted to a rod 54,one end of which is connected by a rod 55 to a sleeve 56 rigidly fixedto the steering rod 23. The lever 47 is moved in a vertical direction,for example, to the position shown in dotted lines at 47 a, when turninthe wheels for steering the truck, and this brings about a movement oft-he bell crank 50 and the parts connected thereto for shifting thesteering rod 23 to simultaneously turn the driving wheels and thesupporting Wheels.

The driving shaft 41, as above noted, is formed in sections which areconnected respectively with the wheels 28 and 35 for propelling thesame. The sections of the shaft 41 are connected with a differential setof gears of the usual type. Said gears, as herein illustrated, consist,of a beveled gear which is connected to one part of the shaft 41 and asimilar beveled gear which is connected with the other part of the shaft41. These gears 57 and 57 mesh with four boveled pinions 58, 59, 60 and61 which are carried by and moved bodily with a spur gear 62.

Rigdly mounted upon the rear axle ofthe truck and positioned above theshaft 41 is an electric motor 63 which is connected to and operates theshaft 64. This shaft is journaled in suitable bearings carried by theaxle of the truck. Said motor is mounted on a bracket 63al which in turnis rigidly supported by vthe frame of the truck.

Loosely journaled upon the shaft 64 of the motor is a sleeve 65 which isformed at one end with an internal clutch gear, t he teeth of which arepointed at the outer face of the gear, and at the other end of saidshaft is a pinion 66. The pinion 66 is adapted to and servesA 'idlyfixed to a shaft 86 mesh with a gear 69 fixed to a shaft 70 which isjournaled 1n suitable brackets on the axle of the' truck. Fixed to theshaft 70 is a pinion 71 which meshes with the gear 62 of thedifferential. The shaft 64 is provided with a portion which is square incross section, as indicated at 72. Mounted on this square portion of theshaft 64 is a sleeve 73 which is fitted to the cross section of theshaft so that said sleeve turns with the shaft. This sleeve 73 is formedwith a pinion 74 at one end thereof which is of the proper size andshape to fully pass into the internal gear 67 and engage the teeth 68thereof. Said sleeve 73 is provided with a section 75 at its oppositeend which has a recess 76 adapted to receive the ends 77 and 78 of ayoke piece 7 9. This yoke piece 79 has sliding engagement withasupporting pin 8O fixed in a bracket carried by the axle of the truck.Extending upwardl from the yoke ieee 79 is a lug 79". Loose y passingthroug an opening in this lug is a rod 81. A nut 79c is threaded ontothe rod before it is inserted into the opening, and then a nut '79h isthreaded onto the other end of the rod. lA coiled spring 7 9 is disposedbetween the nut 79n and the lug, and a separate coiledl spring 79d isdisposed between the nut 791 and said lug. These springs tend to holdthe lug 79a in an intermediate position, and at the same time Willpermit a yielding pressure to be applied to the sleeve 73 for shiftingthe pinion 74 into mesh with the internal gear for connecting the motor4with the driving wheels for propelling the truck.

The rod 8l is pivoted at the lower end of a lever 82, as shown in Fig. 2of the drawings. This lever 82 is pivoted at 83 to the battery box orhousing 84. Fixed to said box 84 is a stop piece 82a having a centrallug 82h against which the lever 82 rests on either side thereof but overwhich lug the lever can pass so that the lever may be placed on eitherside of said lug 82b and will rest against the same.

As a means for raising the lift platform, the pinion 74 may be caused tomesh with a' gear 85 which is connected through a train of mechanism tothe lifting devices for the platform. The teeth of the gear 85 on theside thereof adjacent the internal gear G7 are pointed so as tofacilitate the meshing of the pinion 74 therewith. Both ends of theteeth on the pinion 74 are pointed to further facilitate theintermeshing of the teeth of this pinion with either the internal gear67 or the gear 85. The gear 85 is rigwhich is journaled 1n, an extension87 of the gear box 88. A beam 90 connects the extension 87 on the gearbox with the bearing 89 of the motor and insures the proper relativepositions of the axes of the shafts 64 and 86. Journaled in the lowerpart of the gear box 88 is a shaft 91 which is connected to the shaft 86by means of a train of reduction gears. This train of gears consists ofa pinion 92 keyed tothe shaft 86 and meshingwith the gear 93 jou'rnaledon a shaft Y94. igidly fixed to and concentric with the gear 93 is apinion 95 which meshes with a gear 96 `journaled upon the shaft 91.Rigidly connected with the gear `96 and journaled upon the shaft 91 is apinion 97 which in turn meshes wlth the gear 98. Rigidly connected withthe gear 98 is a pinion 99 which meshes with a gear 100 keyed to theshaft 91. The shaft 91 is mounted in journals 101 on the outside of thebox 88, and a crank piece 102 is carried by the end of the shaft 91.This crank piece 102 is pivoted to a rod 103 which 1s moved back andforth for elevating the platform. Fromthe above description, it will beapparent that this crank piece 102 is operated from the motor shaft bymeans of the pinion 74 meshing with the gear 85 and through thisreduction train of gearing. The means for raising and lowering theplatform consists of inclined blocks 104-104 mounted on the cross plate3 and disposed adjacent the I-beams 1 and 2. Mounted upon the crossplate 4 is a similar pair of inclined blocks 105-105. Disposed insliding engagement with the pair of blocks 104 is a pair of inclinedblocks 106, and likewise in sliding engagement with the blocks 105 is apair of inclined blocks 107. Each of the blocks 104 has a horizontalupper fiat portion 104, and the blocks 105 have similar portions 1058.The blocks 106 and 107 are carried by the platform. The platform, asherein shown, consists of a skeleton structure formed of angle bars 108and 109 placed so that one section of each angle bar is horizontal,while the other section is vertical and lies adjacent the frame sections1 and 2 of the truck. Rigidly fixed to the underside of the horizontalsections of the angle bars 108 and 109 are plates 110, 111 and 112. Theplate 112 is in the form of an angle iron with one edge extendingupwardly above the surface of the angle bars 108 and 109. These plates,together with the angle bars 108 and 109, form, as above noted, askeleton platform which is adapted to carry the load.

Secured to the bars 108 and 109 are the inclined blocks106 and 107, andthese inclined blocks are disposed so as to have their inclined faces incontact with the inclined faces of the blocks 104 and 105. vThe blocks106 are each provided with a lower flat portion 106a and an upperhorizontal flat portion 106". Likewise the blocks 107 each have a lowerfiat portion 107a and an upper flat portion 107".v The range of movementof the blocks is such that, when the platform is at the lower extreme ofits movement, the

\ 111 and the rod 103 is pivoted to this bracket.

From the above description it will be noted that as the shaft 91rotates, the crank piece 102 will be rotated, and this operatingVthrough the rod 103 will pull the platform in one direction or push theplatform in the opposite direction. A pull on the platform will causethe'inclined blocks 106 and 107 to move up the inclined blocks 104 and105, thus raising the load, and then again, through a movement of thecrank piece 102 and a push on the rod 103, the inclined blocks willslide down upon each other and gradually lower the load. The range ofmovement of the crank piece is such as to bring the flat portions 106and 107el above the fiat portions 104a and 105, respectively, so thatthe weight is carried by these flat portions rather than by the inclinedfaces of the blocks, and this ytakes the weight off of the crank piece102.

As a means for automatically stopping the motor when the platform hasreached the extremes of its movement, I have provided the crank piece102 with diametrically opposed ears 114 and 115. The ear 114 carries apin 116, and tihe can 115 carries a p-in 117. The pins are an equalVdistance from the center of rotation of the crank. Pivoted upon thesides of the gear box 88 at a point 118 is a trip lever 119. Said triplever is pivoted nearer one end than the other so that the weighted endof the lever 119, when said lever is free, lies in the ath of travel ofthe ins 116 and' 117. 'ecured to the top of tlie gear box 88 are twobrackets 120 and 121 in which is freely journaled the shaft 122. Thisshaft carries an arm 125. A spring 126 is secured at one end to saidarm', and at the other end to the gear housing, and 'serves as a meansfor rotating the shaft 122 in a counterclockwise direction. The lowerend 128 of the arm 125 is adapted to make contact with the end '129 ofthe lever 119. Projecting upwardly from the shaft 122 is an arm 124which is pivotally connected to a link 140, which in turn is pivoted toa hand lever or controllin lever 141 pivoted at 142 to the bracket p ate7. An upward movement of the end of the hand 1ever`141 will move theshaft'122 in a clockwise direction and swing tlhe arm 125 against theforce of the spring 126.

Mounted onI the gear casing or box 88 is a controller 130 for the motor.Said controller is of the usual construction for giving one speed to themotor, and the con-` troller is connected to and operated by a rod 137which is connected by a link 138 to an arm 123 rojecting upwardly fromthe shaft 122. he upward movement of the outer end of the hand lever 141turning the shaft 122 in a clockwise direction pushes in on t-he rod 137and closes the controller so as to permit the current from the batteryto flow to the motor. Assumingy that the gear 74 is in mesh with thegear 85, the motor will turn the gear 85, and through the reductiongearing turn the shaft 91 and raise or lower the platform, dependingupon the position of the cra-nk ie'ce 102. Just as soon as the pins 116an 117 move from the extreme upper vertical position, the weighted endof the lever 119 is released so that it drops, throwing the end 129 intothe path of movement of the arm 125. If the operator releases the handlever 141, the spring merely pulls the arm 125 against the end of thetri lever 119, and the parts will remain locke in this position untilthe crank piece 102has moved through an arc of 180O or thereabouts,which brings the other pin into contact with the lever, causing the sameto be raised and throwing the end 129 downward out o'f the path of thelever 125, and the spring 126 will then at once oscillate the shaft 122and throw the controller out, thus cutting off the current from themotor.

Mounted on the shalft 86 is a brake drum 143 around which is a brakeband 144. This brake band is connected at the points 145 and 146 to alever 147. This lever is in turn connected by a link 149 to an arm 148extending downwardly from the shaft 122. 1t will at once be noted thatwhen the shaft 122 is turned in a counterclockwise direction, as viewedin Fig. 6, then the lever 147 will be swung about its central fulcrum soas to force the brake band into contact with the brake drum. This isaccomplished by the well-known positioning and roportioning o'f theparts of lthe lever. Xs a result, the motor is not only disconnectedfrom its source of power when thel platform ,reaches the extreme of itsmovement, but a brake is applied to thetrain of mechanism between themotor and the lift platform fo stopping said' train olf mechanism, v

In the present construction, no great harm would be done by thecontinued movement of the shaft of the crank piece 102 after the liftplatform has reached either of the extremes of its movement, for thereason that after the crank piece is moved so as to raise the platform acontinued movement of the crank piece will` lower the platform, but itis desirable to stop the li'ft platform when the flat portions of theinclined blocks are in engagement, and also when the load is clear up orwhen the platform is clear down. It is understood that these industrialtrucks are used in connection with tables or carriers having supportinglegs-of such heightas to permit the truck to be driven by the operatorunderneath the table, and then, when the platform is raised, the tableis lifted thereby, thus takin the load from the ground or floor. For tis reason, it is extremely desirable that the lift platform shall bestopped in its movements up and down when either at its eXtreme lowerposition `or at its extreme upper position. This is accmpli shed by theautomatic means for cutting out the controller and applying the brake.It will also be noted that as soon as the mechanism is set intooperation lfor lifting the load, the operating mechanism is out ofcontrol of the operator and is under the control of the latch lever 119until the parts have moved through the desired distance, when the latchlever is released, the controller automatically cut out, and the brakeapplied.

In order that the motor may operate to raise the lift platform, thepinion 74 mustbe placed in mesh with the gear 85. This is accomplishedby shifting-the lever 82. When the lever 82 is in the position shown inFig. 2 of the drawings, then the rod v81 is pulled so as to compress thespring 79d, and this presses against the lug 79a, forcing the fork 79sidewise, said fork sliding on the pin 80, and through its connectionwith the sleeve 73 said fork will force the pinion 74.

into mesh with the pinion 85. It is noted that this pressure brought tobear on the pinion 74 to cause it to mesh with the pinion 85 is' ayieldingpressure and just as soon as the teeth of the pinion gear arebrought so that they can mesh, then they w1ll slip into each other. Whenthe lever is thrown in the opposite direction, then through the spring 79c the fork. is forced so as to cause the pinion 74 to mesh with theinternal gear 67. The clutch gear 67 and gear 85 are so disposed thatthe inion is either in mesh with one or the other or both of the gearsat all times. There is no intermediate posltion when the gear is out ofmesh with both pinions. This means4 that the motor is always connectedwith either the tram of mechanism for propelling the. truck or the trainof mechamsm for xraising or lowering the latform.

T e battery current for operating the motor for propelling the truck iscontrolled by an automatic switch 150. The wires leading to the switchare connected at 150 and 150". The switch is controlled by a rod 151.

When this rod is in its raised position, the switch, which is theordinary knife switch is closed and the wires 150l and 150b areconnected. -The rod 151 is connected to a brake lever 152 which in turnis connected to a brake strap 153 encircling a drum 154 speeds and three'motor in certain relations to each other.

' is operated so formedl on-the outer face of the internal gear 67 Aspring 152 connected at 155 to the lever 152 pulls down on the rod 151and tends to disconnect the switch and also to apply the brake strap tothe drum to place a brake upon the movement of the parts which areconnected to the drivin wheels for propelling the same. rlhe ro 151 isconnected to the lever 152 through a link 156.

Mounted at the -forward end of the truck is a step-board 162. Saidstep-board is carried hy arms 160 and 161. which are journaled upon arod 157. Said arm 16Q is provided with a shoulder 163. A pin 164 (seeFig. 13) lis mounted in a casing 165 and spring-pressed against theshoulder 163 by the compression spring 166. Said spring is seatedagainst the adjustable abutment 167 threaded into the casing 165. Byadjusting this abutment, the pressure of the spring may be varied. Thearm 161 has a similar shoulder against which a similar springpressed pinbears. These springs 166 are of -suflicient strength to cushion theweight of an o erator standing on the step-board 162, an by adjustingthe abutment 167 the springs may be made to suit the weight of theoperator. Also journaled on the rod 157 is a foot lever 158, and thisfoot lever is connected by the rod 159-to the lever -152 whichoperates'the rod 151 and the Vbrake band 153. vThe step-board, whenreleased from the weight of the operator, is raised up against the footlever '158. The operator standing on the step-boardv presses on the footlever so as to raise the. rod 151, close the switch, and also shiftv thelever 152 to release the brake. When the operator steps off of thestep-board or releases the foot-lever, then the upward movement of thefoot lever and the upward movement of the steplboard will cause the rod151 to move downward, opening the switch, and shifting the lever 152 toapply. the brake.

As a means for controlling the motor for propelling the truck, I have.provided a controller, indicated at 177 in the drawings. Saidcontroller is of the usual construction and may be provided with threeforward reverse speeds accomplished by connecting the circuits ofr1tlllle e controller is operated by a rod 176 which is connected to anarm 175, and this arm is in .turn connected to a link 174 connectedtothe lower end of' a rod 173. The rod 173 is pivoted toa link 172 whichin turn is connected to the hand lever 171 pivotedvto moving the handthe bracket plate 7.. By lever 171 in one direction, the controller 177'aS to give the first forward f speed, or the second forward speed, orthe third forward speed. By moving the lever in the opposite direction,then the reverse.`

vLana-.1.19

motion of the motor is given and the truckr driven in the oppositedirection. It is not throught necessary to go into the details of'thiscontroller. as it -may be of any suitable construction to bring about aproper driving of the truck. The essential feature, however, consists ina controller which has a neutral position so that the controller may bethrown entirely out of operation and the motor stopped and a second orindependent controller used for actuating the motor for moving the liftplatform up and down. Another essential feature o-f the controllerconsists in the forward and reverse movements of the truck brought aboutthrough the movements of the motor, which are directly connected to thetruck propelling wheels and remain in connection for all speeds and forthe forward and backward travel 'of the truck.

In operation, the operator stands upon the step-board and he resses thefoot lever 158, which willclose the switch and release the brake on thedriving mechanism for the truck. The lever 82 is then shifted to causethe pinion or gear 74 to mesh withthe internal clutch gear 67. Thisconnects the motor with the driving. wheels 28 and 35. rlhe hand lever171 is theneither raised or lowered, depending upon which way it isdesired to propel the truck, and the truck may be moved forward atdifferent speeds orbackward. When the truck is under motion, it isimpossible to shift the lift platform or load carrying means as themotor is entirely disconnected from the elevating means, that is, themeans for raising and lowering the platform. Assuming the platform. isdown and itis desired to lift a load, the truck is driven soas to carrythe platform underneath the load, after which the truck is stopped. yThehand lever 82 is then shifted to bring lthe pinion out of mesh with theinternal gear and thus disconnect the motor entirely from the drivingwheels, and at the same time connect the motor with the reductiongearing which operates the crank piece 102 and thus raises and lowersthe platform. The hand lever 141 is then operated so as to close thecontroller 130 and connect the motor to the battery so that the train ofmechanism will be set into operation and the crank piece 102 rotated.When the crank piece has traveled a proper distance to raise theplatform to its extreme upper position, then the trip lever releases thearm 125 which is automatically thrown by the spring 126 to 'cut out thecontroller 130 and apply the brake to the moving parts and thus stop thelift platform at its extreme upper position.

ikewise, when the lift platform 1s at its extreme lower position, theAcontroller is automatically cut out. v

From thefabove, it will be noted that I have provided an industrialtruck wherein .a single motor may be utilized for either propelling thetruck or raising and lowerin the platform which supports the load, anthe operation of the truck and also the movement of the platform areelectrically controlled, as distinguished from the use of shiftingclutches. By this arrangement, the motor is always connected with eitherone train of mechanism or the other, and all likelihood of theoverspeeding of the motor is done away with. Furthermore, the control ofthe lifting mechanism is very much more eiicient as the motor isconnected therewith when the stopping of the .movements of the parts isbrought about, and this aids greatly in the ease with which the partsmay Ibe stopped.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and the arrangement of the parts without departing from thespirit of the invention as `set forth in the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim,

l. An industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame,supporting and driving wheels therefor, elevating and carrying meansmounted on the frame, a brake for said elevating means, a motor, meansfor connecting said motor either to the driving wheels for propellingthe truck or to the elevating means for lifting the load, a controllerfor the motor, whereby said motor may bev operated in either directionwhen connected to the driving wheels, a separate controller for themotor, whereby said motor may be operated when connected to theelevating means, .and automatic means for throwing out said last namedcontroller and applying the brake when the elevating means reachespredetermined positions.

2. An industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame,supporting and driving wheels therefore, elevating and carrying meansmounted on the frame, a

brake for said elevating means, a motor, aV

' shiftable device for connecting saidmotor either to the driving wheelsfor propelling the truck or to the elevating means for lifting the load,a controller for the motor, whereby said motory may be operated ineither direction when connected to the driving wheels, a se aratecontroller for the motor, whereby sai motor may be operated whenconnected to the elevating means, and automatic means for throwin outsaid last named controller and applying the brake when theelevatingmeans reaches the predetermined positions.

3. An industrial truck including in combination, a supportin frame,supporting and driving wheels t erefor, elevating and carrying meansmounted on the frame, a brakefor said 'elevating means, a motor,

means for connecting said motor either to the driving wheels forpropelling the truck or to the elevating means for lifting lthe load, acontroller for the motor, whereby said motor may be. operated in eitherdirection when connected to the driving wheels, a separate controllerfor the motor, whereby said motor maybe operated when connected to theelevating means, an oscillating shaft connected to said last namedcontroller, a lever connected to said shaft, a spring for moving' saidlever for throwing the controller to stop the motor, a latch for holdingsaid lever from movement by said spring,

-and means for releasing the latch when the elevating means reachespredetermined positions.

4. An industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame,supporting and driving wheels therefor, elevating and carrying meansmounted on the frame, a

brake for said elevating means, a motor.

means for connecting said motor either to the driving wheels forpropelling the truck or to the elevating means for lifting the load, acontroller for the motor, whereby -said motor may be: operated in eitherdirection when connected to the driving wheels, a separate controllerfor the motor, whereby said motor may be operated when connected to theelevating means, an-oscillating shaft connected to said last namedcontroller,.a lever connected to said shaft, a spring for moving saidlever for throwing thel controller to stop the motor, a latch forholding said lever from movement by said spring, means for releasing thelatch when the elevating means reaches predetermined positions, and a.brake for said elevating means controlled by said shaft, whereby saidbrake is applied when the controller is shifted to stop the motor.

5. An industrial truck including in com-vy bination, a supporting frame,supporting Y motor whereby said motor may be operated whenconnected tothe raisingand lowering means, and automatic meansr throwing out saidylast-named controller when the platform reaches predetermined extremepositions.

6. n industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame,supporting and driving wheels therefor, a. load carrying'platformmounted on the frame, raisiso v means, and automatic means for throwinging and lowering means for said platform, a brake for said-*raising andlowering means, a motor,means for connecting the motor to the drivingwheels for propelling the truck,

means for connecting the motor ti. the rais-- ing yand lowering meansfo;` raising and lowering the platform, a controller for the motorwhereby said motor may be operated in either direction when connectedkto the driving wheels, a second controller for the motor whereby saidmotor may be operated when connected to the raising and lowering outsaid last-named controller and applying the brake when the platformreaches predetermined extreme positions.

7 An industrialtruck including in combination, a supportingAux frame,supporting one train of gears to the other, whereby said motor is at alltimes connected with one of said trains of gears, and means for shiftingsaid gear connected with the motor includinga lever and interposed vsrings, a stop for holding said lever inv eit er of` its YeX- tremepositions'and said springs operating to cause. a meshing of the gearconnec with the motor with the gears of the respective trains of gearsfor operating the elevating means and the driving wheels.

, 8. An industrial truck lncluding in combination, a supportin frame,supporting and driving wheels t erefor, a llft table mounted on saidframe, devices forl raising and lowering said -table when said table is.moved endwise of the truck, a shaft, a crank carried' by said shaft, alink connectingsaid crank to said table for moving said table endwise, amotor, a train of ears connecting said motor lvwith said sha acontroller for said motor, an oscillating shaft connected to saidcontroller, a depending lever carried by -said oscillating shaft, aspring for moving said shaft to operate the con-4 troller to stop themotor, a latch for hold- 1ng said lever against the action of the springand with the controller closed, opposite y disposed members carried bythe shaft for operating the lift table and adapted alternately to engagethe latch to release the lever'so as to stop the motor when said table1s in extreme raised and lowered positlons.

9. An industrial truck including in combination, a supportingfraine,supporting and driving wheels therefor, a lift table mounted on frame,devices for raising and lowering table when said table is moved endwiseof the truck, a shaft, a crank car-- ried by said shaft, alink'connecting said crank to said table for moving said table endwise,a motor, a train of gea-rs connecting said motor with said shaft, acontroller for said motor, anoscillating 'shaft vconnected to saidcontroller, a depending lever carried by said oscillating shaft, aspring for, moving said shaft to operate the controller to stop themotor, a'latch for holding said lever against the action of the springand with the controller closed, oppositely7 disposed members carried bythe shaft for` operating. the lift table and adapted alter" nately toengage the latch to release the lever so as to stop the motor when saidtable is in extreme. raised and lowered positions, a brake for saidtrain of gears, and means operated by said oscillating shaft connectedto the controller for applying the brake when the motor is'stopped.

10. lAn industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame,supporting and driving wheels therefor, 'a lift 'table mounted on saidframe, devices for raising and lowering said table when said table ismoved endwise of the truck, a shaft, a crank carried by said shaft, alink connecting is'aid crank to said table for moving said tableendwise,y a' motor, a train of gears connecting said motorv with saidshaft, a controller for said motor, an oscillating sli-aft connectedtosaid controller, a depending lever carried by said oscillating shaft, aspring for moving said shaft to operate the controllerto stop the motor,a latch for holding said lever against the action of the spring and withthe controller closed, op-

pitely disposed members carried by the shaft 'for operating the lifttable -and adapted alternately to engage the latch to release the leverso as to stop. the motor when said table is in extreme` raised .andlowered positions, a train of gears connected with the driving wheels,and means for disconnecting the motor from said train of gears connectedwith the shaft for raising and lowering the table and for connecting ysaid motor with the train of gears connected tothe driving wheels.

11. An industrial truck including in com- V'bination, a supportingframe, supporting and driving wheels therefor, elevating and carryingmeans mounted on the frame, a brake for, the carrying means, a brake forthe driving wheelsa,motor, a shiftable device for connecting the motorto the driving wheels for pro lling the truck or the elevating means orlifting ,the`load, a controller for the motor, whereby the motor y ofthe inclines on the sus controller ispositioned so as to disconnect themotor the brake is applied, a separate` controller for the motor,whereby said motor may be operated when connected to the elevatingmeans, and automatic means for throwing out said last named controllerand applying the brake to the elevating means vwhen said elevating meansreaches predetermined positions.

12. An industrial truck including in com-v bination, a supportin framehaving blocks formed with incline faces terminating at their upper endsin horizontal flat faces, a platform having inclined blocks associatedwith each block on the frame, said blocks on the platform havinginclined faces terminating both at their upper and lower ends in flatorizontal faces, said blocks being dis osed so that the flat faces atthe lower en s of the inclines on the platform will rest on the flatfaces at the upper ends of the inclines on the frame when the platformis raised, and the flat faces at the upper ends latform will rest on theflat faces` of the when the platform is in its lowered osition, meansfor raising and lowering t e platform, a motor connected with saidmeans, a

controller for said motor, and automatic means for cutting [out the.controller when the flat faces are brught into engagement with eachother.

13. An industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame, aplatform, means for raisin and lowering the latform when the p atform ismoved en wise relative to the frame, means for movin the platformendwise including a rotating s aft, a crank piece carried thereby, amotor, reduction gearing between the motor and the shaft carrying thecrank piece, a controller for said motor, an oscillating shaft connectedto the controller, a hand lever connected to said oscillatin shaft, adepending arm carried by the osci lating shaft, a s ring connectedthereto for movin the sha to open the controller, a latch or controllingthe movements of said arm, and means movable with the crank piece forlifting the latch locks on the frame .f to release the arm when theplatform reaches predetermined extremes of move- )ment 14. An industrialtruck including in combination, a supporting frame, a platform, yzmeansfor raisin and lowering the lat- `form when the p atform is moved enwise "relative to the frame, means for movin the platform endwiseincluding a rotating s aft, a crank piece carried thereby, a motor, re-

duction gearing between the motor and the shaft carrying the crank iece,a controller for said motor, an oscil ating shaft connected to thecontroller, a hand lever counected to said oscillating shaft, adepending arm carried by the oscillating shaft, a spring connectedthereto for movin the shaft to open the controller, a` latch orcontrolling the movements of said arm, arms extending laterally from thecrank piece and carrying diametrically opposed pins adapted to eugagethe latch for releasing the same when the platform reaches predeterminedextremes of movement. s

15. An industrial truck including in combination, a supporting frame, aplatform, means for raisin and lowering the latform when the p atform ismoved en wisc relative to the frame, means for movin the vplatformendwise including a rotating s aft, a crank piece carried thereby, amotor, reduction gearing between the motor and the shaft carrying thecrank iece, a controller for said motor, an osci ating shaft connectedt0 the controller, a hand lever connected to said oscillating shaft adepending arm carried by the oscil ating shaft, a spring connectedthereto for movin the shaft to open the controller, a latch forcontrolling the movements of said arm, means movable with the crankpiece` for lifting the latch to release the arm when the platformreaches predetermined extremes of movement,I a brake drum turning withthe reduction aring, a brake strap surrounding the rum, ayleverconnected with the brake stra and a arm carried b the oscillating sha tand connected'with t e lever for appl ing the brake when the shaft isoscillated or opening the controller.

uffalo, N. Y. Jul

WIL

1i, i917. IAM H. WRIGHT.

